MANILA, Philippines - Mavrick Saguiguit fired six triples in the first half as Olivarez College repeated over Diliman College, 80-63, and clinched the second semis berth in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) yesterday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.
Saguiguit scored 18 of his 21 points in the first two quarters to help power the Sea Lions to a commanding 47-28 advantage at halftime and never looked back.
With their seventh win in 10 games, the Sea Lions joined unbeaten Centro Escolar University in the next round with Technological Institute of the Philippines (6-3), Bulacan State University (4-5) and Colegio De San Lorenzo (4-6) jockeying for the last two berths.
The loss ended Diliman College’s semis bid as it dropped to 2-7.
Olivarez’s victory was dulled by the ejection of its two players in Jayboy Solis and Harold Sala who figured in heated arguments with Jericho Mondala of Diliman late in the third frame.
“This is I think our worst game in the UCBL. It was pretty bad,” said Olivarez coach Mike Saguiguit.
Saguiguit praised his wards for playing well, especially in the first half where they started to pull away. They took their biggest lead at 22 points (47-25) late in the second quarter.
The younger Saguiguit, who fouled out late in the fourth, finished with an impressive 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
Romyl Jornacion paced the Blue Dragons with 35 points but his effort went for naught.